Long-serving David retires from fire service after four decades

An on-call watch commander has retired after 42 years with Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue (CFRS).

A retirement presentation was held for David Kilner at the fire station in Sawtry, where he was presented with a figurine by deputy chief fire officer, Rick Hylton.

Reflecting on his long career, which started in 1976, David said he has lots of good memories from his job.

He said: “I have many great memories of working for CFRS, one has to be when the crew attended our wedding as the guard of honour. I have also been fortunate to have represented CFRS at the cenotaph.

“I was proud to be promoted to watch commander and was the youngest in the service at that time and over the years I have seen many changes. Not least the personal protective equipment which has improved vastly.

“When I first joined I was issued a wool double breathed tunic and yellow plastic leggings along with rubber wellies.”

David said that his dad was the one that inspired him to join the fire service.

He said: “My dad came home from drill on evening and said: ‘David, would you like join Sawtry fire service as we are really short of fire fighters?’, and that’s where it all began.”

He went on to say: “There are so many people I would like to thank.

“I must start with my wife and boys. Without their support I could not have given so much on-call cover for CFRS. I’d like to say sorry for all the days out that got cancelled because I got called out. Thanks must also go to my dad and mum as they got me started.

“Thanks to my main employers who have supported me over the years with time off for training and the fact that I may not have made it into work on-time or sometimes, not at all.

Looking to the future, David, from Sawtry, is planning more travels with his family, and is looking to utilise his fire service skills to help with Blood Bikers and becoming a motorsport track marshal, as he is a keen motorcyclist.

Station commander, Sean Hedger, said: “Throughout his long career, David has attended a wide variety of incidents and helped a lot of people during their time of need.

“He will be missed and I would like to wish him and his family all the best for the future.”